Why is it in the news?

• Recently, Kota Police in India have initiated a collaborative effort with coaching centers to address mental health issues and raise awareness about suicide prevention among students.
• The city of Kota has witnessed a high number of student suicides, with 23 reported suicides this year, the highest since 2013.

More about the news

• Police are working with coaching institutes to identify students in distress and provide them with necessary support, including counselling and medical assistance.
• A specialized unit called the “student cell” has been set up within the police force, staffed with skilled counsellors, to handle cases referred by all police stations in the city.
• An event called “Creating hope through action” was held in Kota to highlight the initiative’s strategies for reducing student suicide rates and encourage students to seek support from psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors when needed.
• Kota’s Inspector-General of Police stressed the significance of students engaging in social activities to combat loneliness and negative thoughts in the competitive academic environment.
• It underscored the importance of early detection of distress in students and timely psychological interventions to prevent further deterioration of their mental health.
• Renowned psychiatrist M.L. Agrawal emphasized the need to understand changes in students’ behaviour as a crucial factor in preventing suicides.